Elephant, Bat, and Squid
Sprawling emission nebulae IC 1396 and Sh2-129 mixglowing interstellar gas and dark dust clouds inthis 10 degree wide fieldof view toward the northern constellationCepheus the King.Energized by its bluish central star IC 1396 (left)is hundreds of light-years across and some 3,000 light-years distant.The nebula’s intriguing dark shapes includea winding dark cloud popularly known as theElephant’s Trunk below and right of center.
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